Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends Released Tomorrow in UK Cinemas

As an itinerant anime and Asian film writer I have been reporting about the theatrical release of various movies for quite a while on this blog and another site in particular. One long-running project has been the Rurouni Kenshin movies which I have been tracking since back in 2011 (on this very blog) and 2012 (like here) and keeping track of the BBFC website I was able to spotthat the first would be playing at select theatres in the UK. I was pleased when the first Rurouni Kenshin film appeared in my local cinema back in 2013 and I was soon helping spread the word about Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno when it was released last year. This year it’s all coming to a close with Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends. The day of that film’s release has nearly arrived! It’s so close! It’s released tomorrow on April 17th! I have booked the day off work to savour the experience and possibly re-watch Kyoto Inferno which I now have on DVD!

Here are the UK theatrical release details for the third and final Rurouni Kenshin film…

This is the finale to the Kyoto arc of the original manga and it comes to an explosive end as Kenshin (Sato) must face off against another elite assassin, Makoto Shishio (Fujiwara), a man who wants to overthrow the newly formed Meiji government by destroying everything withhis ironclad and returning Japan to chaos. At the end of the last film Kaoru (Takei) and Kenshin went overboard into a stormy sea and we see that Kenshin is saved by his former mentor, Hiko Seijuro (Fukuyama). In order to stop Shishio in time, Kenshin enlists the help of his old master to train for the ultimate battle between hero and villain in an epic blood-drenched showdown!

I think it’s great that Warner Bros. are releasing Japanese movies they make in the West and I hope people go and see them so we can continue to get more. I know it’s about supporting the ‘right release’ and I can tell you that the Rurouni Kenshin films are an excellent series of action packed historical epics that have excellent visuals, great soundtracks, fantastic fights, memorable villains, and cool heroes. I have taken friends and family to see the first two as well as a few other Warner Bros. Japan productions and they have enjoyed them all.

To cast Ryunosuke Kamiki as Soujiro Seta is just perfect. I don’t think there is anyone else who can play the character, plus it is another awesome opportunity to watch Yu Aoi, definitely one of the best Japanese actresses around.

This is so exciting!!! It’s finally here and I can’t wait to watch it~~ a bit sad that this will be probably be the last time we have the live action films.
And btw I don’t know if you’re interested but there will be a screening of Au revoir l’ete starring Nikaido Fumi that will play on the 24th at the Horse Hospital. Just a heads up. 🙂

When I wrote that rambly introduction I realised that the Ruroken films had been a part of my writing for the majority of of blogging years. Quite the journey which has culminated in getting to see two excellent films and, like you, I;m excited about this new one – lets make it three excellent films! 😀

Thanks for the news tip. I was aware that Au Revoir L’ete had been picked up for UK distribution but was having a hard time finding out where it would be screened other than ‘London’… I’ll spread the news on that one now. 😀